Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-11-21
w. VA. FISH COMMISSION.
A Meeting at Romney-Necessity of Carp
Culture-American Fish,

ErchQnye.
The Fish Commissioners of West Vi1-
ginia held their Fall meeting at Romney
on October G. The commission, as now
organized, is composed of the members,
Capt. C. S. White, of Romney, being pres
ident, James H. Miller, of Summers
ty, and +. J. Baxter, Of Braxton county,
treasurer. Mr.. Miller is the recently re-
Gently appointed member.
The commission is unanimous in the be-
lief that carp culture is the only variety of
inland fish culture which promises any
practical returns for labor and money ex-
pendei, has determined npon Inaugural
ting the industry in a practical manner,
and is putting forth an effort TO induce
West Virginia farmers to engage in the bust
ness with the same degree of system as
they DO other branches of their business.
They invited the editor Of the Journal Of
Fish Culture and Rurdl hydraulics to be
present for consultation, and he made an
examination of the ponds, suggesting
modern American improvements. Con-
corning this action the Hampshire Rcrieic,
a Romney paper, says: The sum of
1915 was appropriated to repair, enlarge,
improve and provide with better sluices
and drains the ponds at Romney, and
Capt. Milton L. PIERCE, of Philadelphia,
Secretary of the American Carp Cultural
Association, and q hydraulic engineer OF
of high repute, was employed to superin-
tend said work"
Capt. White, who, by the way, is county
clerk and one of the active business men
of Romney, has had considerable exper-
fence as a fish Culturist, and has given
Capt. Peirce hearty cooperation in this
work, and, together wih his colleagues. has
Sholrn the commissioners Of Other States
rrhat practical men can accomplish iCiM The
smallest appropriation Of any state IN tie
Union. They can Show The most psrtcct carp
ponds Of any state or territory in the country.
There is, within about six miles of Rom
ney, 4 remarkable mountain gorge, run
ningin a continuous straight line directly
north and south for some ten miles, the
pent-up valley much of the distance being
but a few feet in width, the slope being to
the north. In this gorge there is a small
but equable cold stream of the purest
water, which is the natural habitat of brook
trout. At aslight expense this gorge can
be made a perfect ''sportsman's paradise
for the mountain range on either side is
well stocked naturally with deer, bears,
wild turkeys and smaller game, and by
constructing inexpensive little breaks and
dams al the numerous suitable points, a
continuous succession OF practically natu-
raj trout pools Of constantly aerated water
would he created, thus forming the finest
practicable trout preserve imaginable.
Sportsmeu Of the leading cities, aud es.
pecially OF New York city, expend large
sums OF money in the purchase, fitting up
and maintenance of game and fishing pre-
serves. If the facts here alluded TO were
known TO the sportsmen of say Baltimore
and Washington, d. e, il is probable that
"A club would he formed in less than a
month for the development OF this une-
qualled natural game and fish preserve
within ten hours of their respective cities,
for the enterprise could be accomplished
at an insignificant cost. Another feature
in connection with the matter is the fact
that at the mouth of this gorge there is a
splendid sulphur spring, fully equal TO the
celebrated Greenbrier White Sulphur
springs of this State.
Parties interested ia such matters couid
obtain all necessary information by adj
dressing Capt, C. S. White, the State Fish
Commissioner at this point.